Sewing and Embroidery Tutorials

Dec 27, 2022

How to sew a 3D Pinwheel Block

Kathleen Fehr

 Author

Let's make this unique 3D pinwheel quilt block. I love this block because it stands out from the background fabric and looks complicated. In reality, it's very easy to make.  Let's get sewing!

Gather the following supplies:

  • four 3 1/2" squares of red fabric
  • four 3 1/2" squares of white fabric
  • walking foot/sewing machine
  • pins or glue

STEP 1: Fold each red square of fabric in half point to point so that you have four triangles.

red fabric folded into a triangle on a grid background

STEP 2: Fold the left point of the triangle over to the middle point so that it looks like the below photo. Pin or glue the point down.

red fabric triangle with the left point folded over to the right edge. Shown on a grided background.

STEP 3: Pin or bast one red triangle to each of the white 3 1/2" fabric squares, and lay them out in a pinwheel shape. 

Red fabric shapes pinned onto white fabric squares. Shown on a gridded background.

STEP 4: Sew each of the squares together to form a pinwheel. Press the seams open. This does get a bit bulky, use a walking foot makes this step easier.

The quilt block sewn into a top and bottom half, shown on a white background

 

Completed pinwheel quilt block, shown on a white background

STEP 5:  Square up your block to 6 1/2" and enjoy.

Finished quilt block, held in a hand on a white background.